Kindergarten | Cradle to Career Roadmap

Children in kindergarten build their independence, self-reliance and self-confidence. These skills begin developing at home as children take more responsibility for simple tasks such as dressing themselves with less outside help. Being prepared for school includes academic knowledge such as recognizing their first and last name but children also will also need to be able to communicate their needs, feelings and interests.

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National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse

This website provides resources and information to support strong fathers and families.

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Parent Toolkit - Resources

Parent Toolkit is a one-stop resource developed with parents in mind. It’s produced by NBC News Education Nation and supported by Pearson and includes information about almost every aspect of your child’s development, because they're all connected. Healthy, successful children can excel in many areas – in the classroom, on the court, and in their relationships with peers and adults. The Parent Toolkit also supports children's social and emotional development by providing tips to help children with self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationships, and responsible decision-making.

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Social Skills - Grade by Grade

Scholastic discusses the grade-level social skills that teachers tend to look for and how to teach it. Skills range from sharing and being polite in Pre-K to accountability and perspective in Grades 4-5.

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Family Communication

This webpage provides a series of links to assist parents communicating with their children. Resources detail verbal and non-verbal communication, as well as some best practices for handling conflict and anger.

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Common Sense Education

Common Sense supports K–12 schools with lesson plans, educational technology reviews, and everything else educators need to empower a generation of digital citizens.

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Government Relaxes Nutrition Standards for School Lunches

This article explains the changes in federal nutrition standards for school lunches.

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Best Practices in Education - Community Schools

NEA's research spotlight on community schools including descriptions and additional related links.

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Nick Jr. Games

Children can play games featuring characters from their favorite Nick Jr. shows, some of which engage children's math, reading and social-emotional skills.

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What is Kindergarten Readiness and Why Does it Matter?

Short article detailing why Kindergarten readiness is important and what it looks like.

Reports

Transitioning to Kindergarten - School Readiness

A detailed readiness indicators guide for students entering kindergarten. Includes, how to create an Early Learning Passport for your child, as it is helpful to have a portfolio containing checklists, documents, and work samples organized for the teacher in a meaningful way.

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Attendance Works Website

The Attendance Works website contains information and resources to reduce chronic absenteeism and improve student outcomes.

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Best Beginnings: Alaska's Early Childhood Investment

This website discusses the importance of children's first five years, provides activities and resources for parents and educators to support whole child development, and identifies steps community members and businesses can take to support early child development. (Birth - K)

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The California Department of Education - Parent and Family Resources

California Department of Education's (CDE) webpage with information for parents and families on how to be involved in the education of their children.

Reports

California Infant/Toddler Learning and Development Foundations

The purpose of the California Infant/Toddler Learning and Development Foundations is to describe research and evidence-based expectations for the way most infants and toddlers make progress. This 128-page document discusses developmental foundations to ensure that early childhood development programs offer appropriate developmental support and care for young children.

Reports

Age of Entry to Kindergarten and Children’s Academic Achievement and Socioemotional Development

Perhaps no other issue appears so frequently and dominantly in parents’ discussions of school readiness or school districts’ readiness policies as that of the age at which children are eligible (or required) to start kindergarten. This research report presents its findings from a study following more than 900 children from kindergarten through third grade.

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PBS for Parents: The Role of Parents

This article by PBS Kids provides information to parents about their role and ways to positively interact with their children.

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Chronic Absenteeism: What You Need to Know

This web page contains information for parents about what chronic absenteeism is and how it prevents students from receiving consistent instruction they need.

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Toolbox: Social Emotional Learning Curriculum for K-6 Students

This toolbox is a research-based social-emotional learning curriculum that provides resources for educators and parents. It teaches critical social competencies necessary for academic and life success such as: resiliency, self-management, and responsible decision-making skills.

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10 Simple Ways to Engage in Lifelong Learning

This article discusses 10 ways to engage in lifelong learning.

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Great Schools - Learn About Schools in Your Area

Great Schools.org provides information regarding school quality to help parents find the right school for their family.

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Six Seconds: The Emotional Intelligence Network

This is a network that provides Social and emotional Learning resources.

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American Institute for Research

The American Institutes for Research (AIR) has conducted extensive research in early childhood, K-12, and higher education settings. AIR offers resources and research publications for educators.

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Reunite, Renew, and Thrive: Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Roadmap for Reopening School

This is the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL) Social-Emotional Learning Roadmap for reopening schools.

Best Practices

CDE - Social and Emotional Learning

The following Social and Emotional (SEL) Guiding Principles (Principles) are intended to inform and support strong SEL practice across the state based on the collective experience of the contributors. The CDE is committed to helping educators learn more about SEL and how to make this a part of every child’s school experience.